HUNTINGTON, Ind. – The Lindsey Wilson men's basketball team battled throughout the night but fell 83-72 to No. 24 Graceland (Iowa) on Friday evening in the First Round of the NAIA National Tournament at Platt Arena.
The Blue Raiders finish the season with an 18-12 record after returning to the national stage for the first time since 2018.
Lindsey Wilson shot 39.7 percent from the field and 73.9 percent from the free-throw line, while the Yellowjackets connected on 47.1 percent of their shots and went 28-of-33 from the charity stripe. Graceland also held a 39-29 advantage on the glass and scored 34 points in the paint.
Esteban Oliveras led the Blue Raiders with 16 points off the bench, shooting 6-of-15 from the field and knocking down two three-pointers.
Kenyata Carbon added 13 points, four rebounds, and four assists, while
Victory Naboya finished with 12 points on 5-of-7 shooting.
Mihail Gavazov chipped in 11 points and five rebounds after going 3-of-4 from beyond the arc.
The first half saw the Yellowjackets use an early surge to build momentum. Graceland knocked down several three-pointers to stretch the lead to 20-6 midway through the opening period. Lindsey Wilson responded behind Oliveras and Naboya, who scored key baskets inside to begin cutting into the deficit.
Oliveras continued to spark the Blue Raiders late in the half, scoring multiple baskets during a run that brought Lindsey Wilson back within striking distance.
Julian Cunningham knocked down a three-pointer to briefly give the Blue Raiders the lead at 30-29, and Carbon's steady play helped keep the momentum on Lindsey Wilson's side.
The teams traded baskets in the closing minutes of the half before Graceland's Cole Bowen converted inside to give the Yellowjackets a 41-38 advantage at halftime. Lindsey Wilson carried that momentum into the second half.
DJ Gordon opened the scoring with a three-pointer to tie the game, and Cunningham followed with a three of his own before adding a jumper to give the Blue Raiders a 46-43 lead.
Carbon then connected from beyond the arc and Gavazov followed with a three-pointer during a strong stretch that pushed Lindsey Wilson ahead 54-49 with just over 12 minutes remaining.
Graceland responded behind Bowen and Carson Busch. The Yellowjackets used free throws and second-chance opportunities to regain the lead midway through the half before extending their advantage in the final minutes.
Bowen finished with a game-high 34 points and 16 rebounds to lead Graceland, while Busch added 22 points.
Despite the loss, the Blue Raiders showed resilience throughout the contest, rallying from an early deficit and holding the lead midway through the second half before Graceland closed the game from the free-throw line.
Friday's contest marks the end of the 2025-26 season for Lindsey Wilson after its return to the NAIA National Tournament stage.
